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Useful Information
At Ashbrook Funeral Services, we do everything in our power to ensure that you have everything you need both before and after the funeral. Organising a funeral can be very confusing with so many different documents and paperwork required, not to mention benefit entitlements.
Below you will find some information which may be of use to you. Ashbrook Funeral Services can provide assistance and help you obtain the necessary documentation and apply for grants.
Death Certificate
The death must be registered by the next of kin within three months of the occurrence. A death certificate can be obtained online or from a local registrar. Your local funeral home will be able to point you in the direction of your local registrar. Alternatively you can speak to the deceased’s GP, nursing home, hospital mortuary or coroner.
Death Benefit
The Death Benefit is a Social Welfare Grant that goes towards paying the funeral expenses. To apply for the grant you will have to visit your local Social Welfare Officer and bring with you a cop[y of the death certificate and the funeral invoice.
Carers’ Allowance
If a family member or friend is on carer’s allowance when the death of the person they are claiming for occurs, then they are entitled to that allowance for a further 6 weeks. The social Welfare Officer should be notified as soon as possible.
Widowed Parent Grant
This grant is paid to widows and widowers with dependent children. In order to qualify for the grant, the child must be under the age of 18 or between the ages of 18 and 22 in full time education. For more information you can contact the Department Pension Services Office, Widowed Parent Grant Scheme.
Old Age Pension Books
Widows and Widowers are entitled to the deceased’s pension in full for a further 6 weeks. Old age pension books should be returned to the post office as soon as possible after a death has occurred.
Exceptional Needs Payment
The exceptional needs payment provides financial assistance if you do not have adequate means to pay for the funeral. It is administered by the Health Boards on behalf of the Department of Social and Family Affairs.